AQR-Lab analyse the port activity in the ports of the Generalitat
Ports of the Generalitat has commissioned AQR-Lab (IREA) from the University of Barcelona (UB) a study to analyze the economic impact generated by the activity of 45 ports that are the responsibility of the Generalitat on the Catalan economy, which does not include the Ports of Barcelona and Tarragona. The report shows that the activity carried out in the year 2014 in the 45 ports generated a turnover of 991.6 million euros, that is, they allowed to invoice in Catalonia a daily value of 2.7 million euros. At the same time, it contributed 448.2 million to the GDP of Catalonia (a total 0.22% of Catalan GDP). The port activity has contributed to the maintenance of 9,135 full-time equivalent jobs (0.3% of total Social Security in Catalonia) and generated a collection of 170.9 million euros in taxes.
The Secretary of Infrastructure and Transport and President of Ports of the Generalitat, Ricard Font, stressed that the study "emphasizes that ports are an industry that promotes the development of the Catalan economy by generating GDP and, above all, direct and indirect jobs." For Font, "the data support the policy of collaboration between the government and the economic agents that manage and invest in Catalan ports." He also referred to the new law on ports, currently in parliamentary procedure and the Port Plan, in writing, "which should serve to promote the Catalan model and introduce concepts of environmental sustainability and the fight against climate change, port Smart, deepen the diversification of sectors, improve governance and facilitate their relationship with economic, urban, environmental and social environments," he said.
For the preparation of this document, the following seven segments of activity have been taken as a reference in 2014: commercial, fishing, nautical, shipbuilding and repair, restoration, tourism and public (the latter refers to the Services provided directly by the company of the Generalitat). A total of 734 companies (mainly fishermen guilds, marinas and shipyards) have been worked on, with information on 1,934 owners and crew of fishing boats.
Conclusions of the study
The study concludes that if the total economic impact generated by these ports is broken down between direct, indirect and induced effects, for every 100 euros billed directly as a result of the activity in the ports of the Generalitat, there are 86 euros of indirect and induced turnover. However, for every 100 euros of contribution to GDP will generate another 113 euros. At the same time, for every 100 direct employees, 61 workers are generated in an indirect and induced way. In addition, for every 100 euros of direct wages, 92 euros of indirect or induced income are contributed.
Also, if the economic impact by activity sectors is evaluated, the construction, repair and sale of boats, nautical and fishing generate 65% of the total impact.
The sectors that have the greatest turnover and greater employment of workers derived from port activity have been fishing and aquaculture, with a total turnover of 110.7 million euros and 2,117 employees; The storage of goods and activities related to transportation with 97.3 million and 289 workers. The sports, recreation and entertainment sector with 95.4 million euros in turnover and 794 employees; And the hospitality service industry with 84.6 million and 1487 workers.
